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jkobman

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  9. Applying for Green Card

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    My friend and his fiancee from Nanjing are getting married and will need to apply for a Green Card. Can someone send me a couple of webpages to refresh me concerning the process? I have to send him an email and get him started as soon as she gets here at the end of Feb.

     

    Also, what is the timeline - how soon after the wedding does he need to submit the applications? (his wife and his stepdaughter)

     

    It's been a while since I have been a Visa Application Warrior!

     

    THANKS GUYS!!!!!

    http://i2rtechniques.com/Paperwork%20guy.jpg

    :D

  14. Engagement Ring

    in Culture & Language Discussion

    Posted

    Sarah and I are now married. When I asked her to marry me, we went to a local jewelry store in Nanjing and bout 22K rings - pretty much a matching set. They sized them in the store. IF you are able to return, get some rings.

    Sarah maintains that many "siamonds" and precious stone rings are faked and do not buy the rings in China. AT the time we purchased the rings (3 yrs ago) the gold was regulated and the price set daily by the Chinese Govt.

     

    Hope things work out.

     

    Happy Jeff in Virginia :D

  15. Getting my house in order

    in AOS & Immigration Challenges

    Posted

    A lot of this is opinion, but take what happened to my friend and use it as food

    for thought.

     

    My friend passed away 2 weeks ago. Our wives are both Chinese and have both been in the US about 3 years. Thankfully, he got wills drawn up, an Advanced Medical Directive (no life support beyond pain meds) and give a family member Power of Attorney. He was fighting cancer, "ran out of gas" and died. I am heartbroken, but also happy because he is out of pain and in a better place.

     

    I am 52, my wife is 42 - she will probably outlive me. I will get my house in order, and the sooner the better.

     

    Here are some things I have thought about - things that are important that we do for our spouses:

    1. Make sure you have a will. This was a tough one for my wife. She thought I was going to die. I had to explain that this is a wise thing to do in the US. Now, she understands.

    2. Be sure that your wife has some understanding of your family finances - banking, insurance, bills, investments, etc.

    3. Get her a savings and checking acct. in her name. I am surprised how many of the financial transactions in China are cash transactions. I am so used to my Visa card and checkbook. It took my wife a while to get with the program.

    4. Get her a driver¡¯s license. My wife had to overcome the fact that the Virginia Driver's test is only in English. She took the written test 3 times, learned to drive (with me) and then took the driving test 2 times. Where we live, a driver¡¯s license is a must - too far to walk, and limited bus service. She is now a good driver.

    5. Take time to explain buying important things - tires, auto and health insurance, etc.

     

    Now, controversy (and again, my opinion)...

    6. Help her to establish credit. A low-limit Visa/MC in her name, or a personal loan at the bank and then repay it over 6 months.

    7. Get her in to ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. They are usually available through the schools, a church or a community center/YMCA. I did not order CCTV (which I really enjoy, I can't speak Chinese, but I like it) because I wanted her to learn English. Everything here in Virginia is in English. Besides, she can call her family/friends in China for 2.4 cents with our phone card.

    8. She got a job as soon as she got her Green Card. At work, she must talk, listen and learn in English. She now has a better job - more hours, a much better company and a future.

     

    My thinking was and is to get her prepared to take care of herself. She will outlive me and I do not want her to be ill prepared. She has come to America, wants to become a US citizen. She needs good English skills and learn how to live successfully as an American.

     

    My friend who passed away called us to the hospital at 3 a.m. one Saturday morning. He asked me "please take care of my wife" as he held my hand and stared me down. I looked at him and said, "I will - you are my friend." He died the next day at 8 p.m. I will keep my word to my friend - she will need help with her finances, getting a driver's license, making sense of the life insurance, etc. All of this has made me remember what the Preacher said at the funeral, "Get your house in order."

     

    I do not mean to ramble or put a negative spin on the holidays, but search your soul. Again, I am opinionated about these things, and again apologize for ¡°preaching.¡±

     

    Thanks again guys for listening to me.

  21. This is getting painful

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    I know you've heard it - hang in there. It will happen!

     

    Remember the old adage, "hurry up and wait."

     

    It will happen, it will be worth it and in a few months, and a few years, this will all be a memory - and as my mother said to me as I waited, fretted and worried (and a lshed of of tears) - "this too shal pass."

     

    Be encouraged friend - we're all in this together! ....and God bless!

     

    Jeff & Sarah :D

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